The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-04-21
A SOUND OF REVELRY.
A Light Fantastic Renaissance of
the Second Corps.
by p. 8. H., WASHINGTON, d. C.


1864 IL probably did not make so lasting an |
impression upon them as it did upon those to |
whom army life was so great novelty, and |
who were so grateful for even a glimpse Of
the happier side of it,
Two hundred and ten ladies and compare |
lively few gentlemen not belonging to the |
army were present upon that occasion. We |
left Washington about 10 o'clock on the morn
ing of the 22d, escorted by n committee sent up
from " the front" We passed along through
Catlett's, Bristoe and RappahannOck Stations,
across Bull Run and the Rappahannock River,
seeing rebel Notifications (then recently va
cated), pOntoOn trains, block houses. aud many
places and things Of which We had been read
ing daily, but never expected our mortal eyes
to gaze upon. We reached Brandy Station
about 3 o'clock and found numberless officers
and ambulances waiting TO convey US 10 our
respective quarters.
Surely no persons on that occasion had bet
ter provision made for them, or were moro
handsomely entertained, than were the bakers
dozen, consisting of twelve ladies and one
gentleman, who became the special guests of
the officers of the First Brigade, Third Divis-
ion, Second Corps, in which were the 4th and
sth Ohio 18th Ind, and 9Th Va. regiments.
The quarters occupied by the Colonel of the
ith Ohio were given for the use of the ladies,
and consisted of log hut with canvas roof,
and a wall tent back of it, the American Flag
"a
On one side of the front room was fireplace,
with mantelshelf above it. picture of the
former Colonel of the regiment, Lorn An
drews, whose life as n soldier was so soon ended
in death. hung in rustic frame on the wall.
A chandelier prettily trimmed. hung in the
center of the room. Two tables and some
chairs constituted the remainder of the furni-
ture. Beds came by magic, and only when
needed. Time was too precious to spend much
in sleep, as we had enlisted for only three
days. and had much to do in that time.
As soon as we had shaken off the dust of
travel we were invited to the chapel, which,
for this occasion, had been converted into
dinng-room, where we found, not bacon and
beans, but most appetizing dinner awaiting
u.s. Everything in and out OF season. was be-
fore us. and after blessing upon the food had
been asked by the Chaplain, we lost no timo in
proving that we were capable of doing ample
justice to the good things. Our long ride and
fast inclined u.s. at first to attend strictly to
business, and not be particular about having
our knives and forks keep perfect time with
the music of the band, which was playing
for our entertainment during the meal. But
appetites were soon appeased and tongues
loosened and if there was not +" feast of rea-
son." there was something much more common
in those days. substitute" which answered
rs well.
The all-important ball was to come off that
night, and we could not sit too long at dinner.
Each lady was provided with an agreeable
escort, and ambulances conveyed us to the
headquarters of the Sth Ohio, where we dis
posed of our outside wraps before going to the
pavilion, which had been erected for dancing
and a supper-room.
The dancing-Toom, which would accommo-
date % sets at one time, was decorated with all
the colors of the corps, and was lighted by
1900 sperm candles in chandeliers tastefully
trimmed with evergreens. Artillery, small
arms, and pyramids of cannon-balls were
placed in different parts of the room. The
supper was all that could be desired, and it is
not necessary to state that the music was ex-
ceedingly fine. The dancing was kept up till
o'clock in the morning without any Waterloo
ish Interruptions although we were near
enough to see the flash of sunlight on the
bayonets Of the enemy" the next morning.
have often wondered If that were not an
item of information given to add interest to
the occasion, and If those bayonets was not
handled by some of Uncle Sans boys. How
ever, Z" / tell the tale rs twas told to me-"
We breakfasted at o'clock, and were soon
ready to attend a review of the Second Corps,
which was to take place at Stephensburg,
place a few miles distant. Twenty thousand
troops were reviewed by Gen. Meade, accom-
panied by his staff and a number of ladies on
horseback. 1t was grand sight to US who
knew not then that il would be our good for
tune to witness one superlatively grand when
this cruel war was over" and 100000 troops
should occupy two days in passing through
| Washington on their way home.
Upon our return from the review another
good dinner awaited us, after which we went
TO see the 4th Ohio boys on dress parade. and
| to visit them in their barracks. We were in
vited to their "hall," which served as a school
room and for dancing. The sides were adorned
with pictorial papers Thelights hung in thecen-
/ ter of the room, and were trimmed with ever
greens. From beam which ran across the upper
part of the room large card was suspended, on
one side of which was printed with pencil Lin
coin, Seward, Chase, and the Union forever" On
/ the reverse side was, washington, Grant, War
| rem, Shields and Carroll" A table with school,
| books on il stood in one corner. After we had
| thoroughly inspected tho building we passed
| on 10 Co. HIS quarters, where we found sOnio of
| the boys singing The place soon became so
crowded that We were obliged to go outside,
where we held an open-air concert. All joined
in singing when Johnny Comes Marching
| Home Again" Brave Boys are They" Rally
| Round the Flag" and John Browns Body"
with impromptu verses By this time a fire
had been made in Amusement Hail." the
ground floor had been sprinkled with sawdust,
and an invitation sent for us to return and
spend the evening there in dancing, which we
| were glad TO do.
When we arrived set was on the floor,
made up entirely Of gentlemen. Those repre-
senting ladies wore no hats the others were
| excusable for keeping their hats on. Two
| flutes, two viOlins, and two guitars furnished
the music. Our party again increasing in
numbers we went TO the new brigade head
quarters, not yet occupied as such, where We
had three rooms. Dancing was kept up till
nearly midnight, and a tempting lunch pro-
vided for us before retiring. We rose at reveille,
and during breakfast after much begging and
pleading. we were furnished with our first
glimpse of"hardtack." Itdid not. however, form
| part of the meal, but was converted into auto
| graph albums, and the writer of this article
knows of piece which is still in existence.
| A fragment, too, OF the 4th Ohio battlefag,
which was cOnsidernte enough to be blown of (Y)
while on review at that time, is a dearly
cherished memento of that interesting occa-
| sion.
But the time had come for us to be mustered
out" Our newmade friendsand kind hosts went
with us rs far as Brandy Station, and the COM
mittee returned with Us TO Washington. Three
bright days were thus spent that all the OF
after life cannot make less bright Everything
that it was possible to do for our comfort OF
pleasure was done, and done so quietly that we
| did not know when it was done.
How many. wonder, of those to whom we
were indebted for SO much enjoyment are now
living Some hope, whose eyes will fall on
this aud know that their kindness is remem.
bered. Many, i fear, were left upon the battle
fields Of Virginia. ,
o. II there he in this earthly sphere